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Historic stage stop open house set June 13-14

By Coloradoan staff
2:10 p.m. MDT June 6, 2014

Proceeds from an annual open house help with renovations and preservation of the Virginia Dale Stage Station. The station and neighboring historic home are open for tours, which can be arranged by calling the Virginia Dale Community Club.
(Photo:
Photo courtesy of Virginia Dale Community Club
)

The Virginia Dale Community Club will host its annual open house June 13-14 to celebrate the historic Overland Trail Stage Station and raise money for the station’s restoration and maintenance.

The weekend kicks off with a western dance from 7-11 p.m. Friday at the Stage Station off U.S. Highway 287. The band Barely Gettin’ By will provide the music, and there will be an old-fashioned pie auction at intermission. Admission is $10 per person. Kids younger than 12 will be admitted for free.

Saturday features a craft show, speakers, general store, silent auction and bake sale from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. Tickets will be on sale for a December quilt raffle.

The goal of fundraising is to restore the station back to its 1862 origins. Jake Slade established the stage station in 1862 and may have named it after his wife, Virginia, historical records show. The station served as a refuge from Indian attacks for travelers and residents.

Slade later became infamous for killing Jules Beni and was widely suspected of being in cahoots with stage robbers during his time as stage agent. Slade later led a group of outlaws in Virginia City, Montana, where he was hanged by the local vigilance committee in 1864.

The station has been in continual use by Virginia Dale residents as a community center.

Last year, the building was stabilized and temporarily braced for future structural work. The rafters have been reinforced and the electrical system brought up to code. Historically correct windows have been ordered through a grant from the National Questers Organization.

The Virginia Dale Stage Station is 4 miles south of the Wyoming border just off U.S. Highway 287. Turn onto County Rd. 43F at the Memorial Plaque placed by the Daughters of the American Revolution. Turn left at the “Y” in the road. The Stage Station is one mile down the road.

• 9:15 a.m.: Rocky Mountain High School Lobomess Civil War Bivouac Group will perform the opening ceremony

• 10 a.m.: National Sojourners Flag building demonstration

• 11 a.m.: Ray Stokes from the National Stagecoach and Freightwagon Association

• 12:45 p.m.: Presentation of fifth-grade essay winner

• 1 p.m.: Barbara Fleming

• 2 p.m.: Wayne Sundberg

• 2:30 p.m.: Cheyenne Gunslingers

• 3 p.m.: Lady Moon

• 3:30 p.m.: Virginia Dale quiz

• 4 p.m.: Closing ceremony, Lobomess

Other exhibitors: Livermore 4-H, Ponderosa Promenaders square dancing, music by Dan Rogers & Friends, “Robberies” by the Robbers Roost Rebels. There will be games for all ages, alpacas, spinning and other demonstrations. Lunch will be served from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m.